New Aircraft At Shuttleworth

Yes, the Brazilian replica (not sure replica is quite the right word) went back to Brazil in the case that it came in. It was never flown at OW. The Mag-Men example is better than that but probably not by much. The trouble with the Demoiselle and the Antoinette was that they had to compromise so much to get useable machines for the film. They actually ditched the wing warping on the Antoinette mid-way to give some sort of control. What’s left of that aeroplane is apparently in Switzerland but we’re told it suffered a fire. Had the recently departed aviation trustee have stayed, I fear we would have acquired that too.

Thanks Andy,

Was at Shuttleworth earlier today with my son & now am remembering that there was previously a more modern Demoiselle replica Brazilian owner?) which seems to have moved on. It will be interesting to see what the plans are for the Mag-Men example given your comments, and the work required ongoing with other projects.

Elwick

Yes they have.
However, at the end of the filming, the two best machines (by some margin) ended up at Old Warden. Those being the AVRO Type IV Triplane and the Bristol Boxkite. The others were much less so, I suspect. The purchase of the Demoiselle was the somewhat personal project it seems of the very recently departed aviation trustee. Quite what he planned to do with it, now remains to be seen. In Allen Wheeler’s book, he says that the only person light enough to fly the Demoiselle in any meaningful way, was Joan Hughes. My suspicion is though, that you won’t be seeing the Demoiselle fly anytime soon.

It was apparently the flier from the film. It remains to be seen if it’ll ever fly again.
More news after delivery.

When they were built, they were virtually disposable film props, albeit generally well made.

Now they are 50 year old antiques , they have become genuine vintage aircraft :rolleyes:

It was apparently the flier from the film. It remains to be seen if it’ll ever fly again.
More news after delivery.

Demoiselle, not Antoinette.

Yes, my mistake. Anyone know if this is flier?

Elwick

Great news about the Demoiselle, with the 50th Anniversary next year of the filming of the Magnificent Men film a reunion of film aircraft seems appropriate. Would be great if the Vickers 22 replica from New Zealand could also be repatriated?.

Demoiselle, not Antoinette.

More good news along the lines of new aircraft at Shuttleworth. Just reading in Prop-Swing earlier that the MagMen Antoinette replica has been acquired from Australia!

I assume this is destined to be a static exhibit, but fantastic news all the same.

Elwick.

In a recent issue of Aeroplane it said that the Comet will
be flying from Duxford next year

Nah – Henlow of course 🙂

Andy, I know a loverly user friendly grass airfield not far from OW where the Comet could be opperated from. In to wind landings never a problem.

To the North by any chance…?
:);):)

As a slight deviation from the arguments, I wonder if Old Warden will fly their Martlet (Grumman) in formation with their Martlet (Southern) ?

re;

Last time I was there, they told me that in the early days of the RFC the c/o would put a handkerchief on the ground. if it moved, no flying. That was of course when the air frames were in service and in plenty supply.

it makes sense that if you have traveled 100s of miles to the show that you get to see a noisy Wildcat fly (and hopefully more in future) than look at a line of parked a/c like I did on my 1st visit. I can only dream they will buy a Mossie one day. I cant understand why the collection never got one as there plenty around in the 50s and 60s.

Im looking forward to seeing the Wildcat at Old Warden. Haven’t seen one fly since Reno air race 2 years ago! Ive seen the ups and downs at Shuttleworth since the mid 1960’s. I have taken vintage glider’s there for the last 8 years. Not every body likes them! I dont like Helicopter’s. But they all have the place.

Dave

After reading a number of posts recently where we are all moaning about aircraft being sold abroad and exported I find it incredibly sad that we are now all having a moan about an aircraft being imported and to a collection that will actually display it rather than having it sit in a hangar as an appreciating asset.
Personally I think it will make a fine companion to the Sea Hurricane and look forward to its arrival.

I couldn’t agree more, I think it will take very nicely to the Old Warden circuit.

Willow

Shall I book my car and trailer onto the ferry tonight or will you arrange to fly them over? If not the latter, please leave the hangar doors open at Old Warden and I’ll ask my local aéroclub to shift the ULMs over in the hangar to make room for the new arrivals. I assume that you’ve cleared it with Mr Haig-Thomas!

Transfer the collection to western France (says he, ducking down beneath the parapet!).

Yes that actually would be quite nice.
The climate in Bordeaux is very agreeable…!
The local brand of Coca-Cola is very drinkable too.
:);):)

Kindly note

I just wish the weather God’s would be a bit more on the side of The Collection these days. Now, if anyone has an answer to that conundrum, I think a lot of people really would listen.

Transfer the collection to western France (says he, ducking down beneath the parapet!).

I believe there has been an attempt at Shuttleworth, in recent years, to acquire as many of the major RAF trainers as possible but has there been any other specific collecting policy? I have always gained the impression that until recently most acquisitions (with the odd exception like the Sopwith Triplane) sort of happened almost by accident when aircraft were offered which happily seemed to fit in with the existing collection.